We need intelligence to defeat terrorists, bandits — CAS

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, says intelligence is key to successfully prosecuting the ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry operations across the country.

He said this on Tuesday during the graduation ceremony of Young Officers’ Course (Intelligence) 1/2020, at the Defence Intelligence College, Karu Abuja.

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According to him, good intelligence is very vital for the success of any operation, particularly air operations, “whose effect can be devastating and as such mistakes are unacceptable”.

He noted that the only way to get good intelligence is by building robust networks predicated on excellence and competence which could only be achieved through good training of intelligence operators.

He said a lot of resources had been invested into the training of the young graduated officers meant to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge required to address issues of internal security.

“The decision to conduct the Course for these selected Nigerian Air Force Officers here at the Defence Intelligence College is borne out of my desire to produce well-grounded intelligence officers capable of supporting the Nigerian Air Force in delivering on its constitutional mandate,” he said.

Abubakar urged the graduating officers to imbibe the tenets of the intelligence cycle which involves collection of information/data, processing of such information into actionable intelligence and prompt dissemination to appropriate authority for necessary action.

He also implored them to be guided by utmost sense of patriotism and avoid acts of misconduct that could tarnish the image and reputation of the service.

“It is equally important to recruit reliable intelligence sources in the field and ensure that information provided are credible.

“I urge you therefore to bring the skills and capacity acquired during the Course to bear in your future deployment.”